25 things to do with kids in Manchester 2022: fun activities for children and families near me

With the warmer weather coming as we head towards summer, here’s 25 activities to enjoy with the family in Manchester.

From free days out, to enjoying days out bowling or at the cinema, this list caters for all types of budgets.

And from bowling, to a football stadium tour, to a nice walk in some of Manchester’s more scenic locations, this list also caters for all activities.

Manchester United stadium tour

Enjoy a tour around one of the world’s most famous grounds, that has played host to one of the biggest side’s in the world.

Time slots can be booked online, and are sometimes sporadic due to the Premier League season.

Ticket prices: adults £35; under 16s  £15; over 65s £15; under 5s free

Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA,  www.manutd.com

Manchester Art Gallery 

With no prior booking necessary so you can walk right into Manchester Art Gallery, and enjoy some of the finest art Manchester has to offer for free.

There’s a cafe and a shop too, so you can take something home to remember the day.

Opening times are 10am - 5pm Tuesday - Sunday and the gallery is open on bank holidays.

Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL,  manchesterartgallery.org

Manchester City Stadium tour

Take a tour around  Etihad Stadium, home to the greatest side in world football currently.

The tour uses all the latest technology including augmented reality, to offer a truly immersive experience that kids and adults will love.

Due to  Manchester United’s commitments in the league and Champions League, timings may vary.

Tickets cost £25 per person on the Manchester City website.

Address: Ashton New Rd, Manchester M11 3FF - www.mancity.com

iFly Manchester

This fun day out for all the family will get your blood pumping as you mimic skydiving indoors in Manchester.

You can also watch others from the comfort of the viewing area.

Tickets for the basic two flight package cost £44.99 per person, and can be booked on the iFly website.

Opening times: Mon - Sun: 8:30am - 10pm

Leisure Village, 9 Trafford Way, Manchester M41 7JA - www.iflyworld.co.uk

National football museum

Take a look at the history of the beautiful game with guided museum tours, looking at key iconic moments in football andt memorabilia from down the years.

Tickets can be purchased from the website, and cost £10.50 for adults, £5.50 for children, children under 5 go free and concessions cost £8. These prices are for a standard guided tour.

Opening times: Wednesday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm

Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG, www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

People’s History Museum

This museum tells the story of the past, present and future of democracy in Britain, looking at how we achieved the freedoms we have today, and what still needs to be done.

A fabulous educational day out, entry is free but a donation is more than welcome.

Opening times: Wednesday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER, phm.org.uk

Worsley village walk

With the weather getting nicer, what better way to spend time with the family than a lovely walk through a quaint village?

This three-mile circular walk allows you to take in the views of the picturesque village of Worsley.

Along the route, you will walk along the Bridgewater Canal and wander into the Worsley Woods.

Barton Rd, Worsley, Manchester M28 2PB,  gmwalking.co.uk

South Pennine Water Trail

The South Pennine Water Trail offers  two routes, with one being five miles long, and one being two-and-a-half.

For wheelchair users and families with pushchairs, you can take an alternative Hollingworth Lake circuit.

There are also toilet facilities and a cafe nearby for refreshments.

Address: (Start point) OL15 0AQ - https://gmwalking.co.uk/walking-routes/south-pennine-water-trail/

Museum of Transport

Take a look around this museum, which showcases the evolution of transport and the journey vehicles have made to how they look today.

Look at buses, coaches and trams from way back in the 1930s in this fun and educational day out.

Adult tickets cost £5, and tickets for children, adults aged 65 and over and jobseekers cost £4. Disabled people enter free. Tickets can be purchased on the museum website.

Opening times: Mon: 9am - 4:30pm;  Wed, Sat, Sun: 10am - 4:30pm

Boyle St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8UW, motgm.uk

Visit Chinatown

Take in the culture of China, at what is regarded as one of the most authentic Chinatowns outside of Asia.

Take a photo under the iconic arch, and even try some of the cuisine while you’re there!

It is the second largest Chinatown in the United Kingdom and the third largest in Europe

Tenpin Printworks Manchester

A competitive game that’s fun for the whole family is bowling. Tenpin Printworks also has a fully kitted arcade, and the chance for snacks or bigger meals to keep you replenished throughout the day.

The price for juniors and adults for two games is £17 each, and tickets can be booked on the Tenpin bowling website.

Opening times: Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun: 10am - 1am; Thur - Sat: 10am - 2:30am

The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS - www.tenpin.co.uk

Treetop Adventure Golf

Many people don’t realise that Manchester has its own rainforest!

Adults and kids alike will have loads of fun navigating through the trees and bushes at this indoor crazy golf course.

There’s no need to book, just turn up, pay, and try to win!

For one round of 18 holes, adult tickets cost £9.75, Over 60s £8.25, under 5s £4.75 and students £8.25.

Opening times: Mon, Sun: 10am - 10pm; Tue - Wed: 11am - 10pm;  Thurs - Sat: 11am - 11pm

The Printworks, Dantzic St, Manchester M4 2BS,  adventuregolf.com

Hawkshaw and Affetside walk

This is a demanding walk, but you will be rewarded with stunning views.

The northern part of the walk is occasionally closed for military training. However, you will be notified if the training is active.

Address: Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, BL0 9RY - Visitbury

Chorlton Water Park

This local nature reserve is home to  a small lake, surrounded by grasslands and woodlands.

There is a car park, small playground for little ones along with walking paths and picnic benches.

Fishing is also permitted, and day or season tickets can be bought from Chorlton Carp Anglers.

Swimming is not allowed.

Opening times: dawn - dusk

Maitland Avenue, Chorlton, Manchester M21 7WH,  www.manchester.gov.uk//chorlton_water_park

Alexandra Park

Alexandra Park mirrors Chorlton Water Park, and is a great day out.

It  covers a massive 60 acres in Manchester, and has been open to the public for over 150 years, since 1870.

In the park, you can find a football pitch, a cricket pitch and four fully functioning tennis courts.

There is also a fishing lake and a cafe in the pavilion, so you can purchase refreshments before exploring the park.

180 Russell St, Manchester M16 7JL, www.alexandraparkmanchester.org

Alan Turing Memorial 

Some people may not be familiar with Alan Turing, but he is a hero to many.

The Enlightenment mathematician, logician and cryptographer was responsible for breaking Nazi code during World War II, giving the allies what they needed to win the war.

He also created the Universal Turing Machine, which formed the basis of the first ever computer.

Some people may know him for the 2014 movie ‘The Imitation Game’, in which Benedict Cumberbatch portrays him.

The memorial is open 24 hours a day.

Sackville Park, Fairfield St, Manchester M1 3HB, www.historyhit.com/lalan-turing-memorial/

Victoria Baths

Initially opened in 1906, the baths were closed in 1993 but have remained intact, and are now subject of a restoration.

Guided tours are available, and cost £8 per person, with under 16s getting in free.

General entry to the building and tea rooms is available every Wednesday for free - although donations are welcome.

Tickets for the guided tour can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Opening times: Wednesday: 11am - 3pm

Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 0FE, www.victoriabaths.org.uk

Guided tour of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Celebrate the life and literature of Victorian writer Elizabeth Gaskell with a tour of her house.

Tickets for adults cost £6.50, concessions £5.50 and under 16s, returning visitors and registered carers enter free.

Opening times: Wed, Thurs, Sun: 11am - 4:30pm; closed Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat

84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW, elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk

Arndale Market

With plenty of shops and other places to visit, Arndale Market is a great day out, and will tire out the kids!

Most known for its tasty, award winning street food outlets you have your pick of top food ranging from Thai, Turkish, British and more.

Opening times: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6:30pm; Sat: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 11:30am - 5:30pm

49 High St, Manchester M4 3AH, manchesterarndale.com

Coronation Street: The Tour

One of the most iconic UK TV shows, and the longest running soap on TV, Coronation Street offers tours to loyal fans.

You can visit iconic locations on the show such as The Kabin, Underworld, Rovers Return and saunter down the cobbles looking at the houses of long-standing residents such as Eileen Grimshaw, Sally Metcalfe and more.

Adult tickets cost £28, children £25.50, family tickets (two adults, two children) £80 and under 4s go free and can be bought on the Coronation Street tours website

Opening times: Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm

ITV Studios, Trafford Wharf Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1FZ, www.coronationstreettour.co.uk

Belle Vue Speedway

Enjoy a night at the speedway, watching highly skilled drivers do battle on the circuit aiming to be number one.

The speedway can be very noisy, so sound blockers for younger ones may be necessary.

The league starts on Monday, 2 May 2022 and a full fixture list can be downloaded from the Belle Vue Speedway website.

Adult tickets cost £25, concessions £22, under 17s £10 and have to be purchased on the website.

National Speedway Stadium, Kirkmanshulme Ln, Manchester M12 4WB, www.belle vue-speedway.com

Sea Life Manchester

A great day out for all, and seeing creatures such as sharks, clownfish, turtles, Japanese spider crabs, stingrays and more, it’s rare people in England get to see such creatures.

There are multiple zones to keep the kids interested all day, such as turtle bay, rocky hideout, jellyfish seas, shark shipwreck and more.

Tickets can be purchased from the Sea Life website.

Tickets cost £19.75 for adults, and children (3 - 17 yrs) cost £16.95 with under 3s going in free.

Opening times: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm - Sat - Sun: 9:30am - 6pm

Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8AS, www.sealifemanchester.com

Lane 7

This location is so good, that it is frequented by Olympic legend Usain Bolt when he’s in town, and it’s clear why he is a fan.

You can go bowling, play shuffleboard, American pool, ping pong, karaoke, shooting pods, and a fine dining experience is also available.

Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult and must leave before 7pm, when the venue is over 18 only.

Each different activity has a different price and can be booked online. For the list of activities and their prices, visit the website.

Opening times: Mon - Thurs: 3pm - late - Friday - Saturday: 11am - late

Unit 3, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN, lane7.co.uk/manchester/

Legoland

There’s many attractions here for the family to enjoy, such as Ninjago adventure city, miniland, a 4D cinema, Merlin’s apprentice ride and more.

Tickets must be pre booked on the Legoland website, and the venue is entirely cashless throughout.

Adult tickets cost £17.95 for a standard ticket and children aged 3-14 costs £13.50. Those aged under get in free.

Opening times: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 2pm - Saturday - Sunday - 9:30am - 5pm

Unit D5, Trafford Palazzo, Manchester M17 8AS, www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com